Tuesday, October 5, 2010

the Next Queen of Heaven

Oh little lambies--- I bet you were thinking this was a post all about me, weren't you?? Well... it's not. But I can certainly bring the goodies for tomorrow. Or my milk shake to the yard. Whatever.

Today is my day to review Gregory Maguire's book The Next Queen of Heaven this is released...today I believe...for TLC Book Reviewers.  Description: With the new millennium approaching, the eccentric town of Thebes grows even stranger. Mrs. Leontina Scales begins speaking in tongues after being clocked by a Catholic statuette. Her daughter, Tabitha, and her sons scheme to save their mother or surrender her to Jesus—whatever comes first. Meanwhile, choir director Jeremy Carr, caught between lust and ambition, fumbles his way toward Y2K. The ancient Sisters of the Sorrowful Mysteries join with a gay singing group. The Radical Radiants battle the Catholics. A Christmas pageant goes horribly awry. And a child is born. Only a modern master like Gregory Maguire could spin a tale as frantic, funny, and farcical as The Next Queen of Heaven.


The Next Queen of Heaven: A Novel

Everyone knows that I read a LOT and I love all kinds of books. And usually the first sign of me giving a good review or not is whether I feel pulled in. And I have to say--- this book didn't pull me in. I didn't feel like the story was really worthy of a book. None of the characters are particularly appealing. While I was sympathetic to the gay choir master who dreams to make it big and has a gay friend dying of AIDS, the rest were pretty much take it or leave it. Honestly- the story should have just been about Jeremy (the gay choir master), his friends, and them being in the little religious town. The only time I perked up was when it switched to their point of view and then their interactions with the nuns who let them use their home to practice their music. I didn't like reading about Tabitha, who becomes the leader of the family once their mother falls ill after having a run in with a statue. Tabitha is a spoiled brat. Her brothers are essentially useless and aren't really strong enough to carry a story on their own. Throughout the whole thing I just got more and more annoyed. In fact- it didn't really feel like anything was happening until the last quarter of the book and then it all happened relatively fast. I didn't feel as if the story was frantic, the only funny part was the Christmas pageant (mildly) and I wouldn't say it was farcical. I struggled to finish this book. A book this size should only take me a day, maybe two to read but this took me THREE WEEKS to read. I just couldn't make myself read more than 20 pages in a sitting. I really struggled with finishing it. I wasn't satisfied with the ending either. I mean, how does Jeremy's show end up? What happens to Tabitha and baby? I just felt like I had a lot of unanswered questions and I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

BUT--- I will say that there are some people out there who would love this book. The description truly doesn't give enough of a description. While these things happened- they were all minor pieces of the story so I don't know. I'm really not sure what to think about it.

**If you are interested in reading this book, I will send it to you for free. The first person to comment on this post saying they want it----it's yours. :)

13 comments:

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Eh... I'm going to pass. Generally anything you say you love I end up loving. So if you didn't love it odds are I won't either.

Um, I'll be seeing you in 3 HOURS! Are you excited for FRIES!?

(Really... if the big excitement in our lives is fries from Flame I'm wondering if I should be worried for us...)

justme5686 said...

You can send it to me :) Otherwise I'll spend money on it instead of on panties for the panty pyramid and that would be a shame!

Mama Mary said...

I love to read too but after having kids and starting a blog my book time is limited. Think I'll pass on this one as I wasn't a fan of Wicked which was supposed to be one of his best. I am currently reading "The Hunger Games" and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Have you read it?

Helena said...

I enjoyed reading your review way more than you enjoyed reading that book.

...and I do not want it.

Jandy xx said...

i SO thought this post was about you from that title!

Just Plain Tired said...

While your review doesn't have me wanting to read this book, I'm also an avid reader. Like you if the book seems to drag on too long I get bored with it.

Miranda said...

Me! Me! Me! The best books are the ones that come in the mail! Oh and I'm not dead, just exhausted, full of streptococcus and in a bloggish fog lately. But still reading daily like a good little lambwhore I swerrr :)

E said...

I'll probably read it if you send it to me...

But on a cooler note, I tagged ya!

Veronica M. D. said...

I would love a free book! :)

Heather J. @ TLC Books said...

I'm sorry that this book wasn't a better fit for you but thanks for being on the tour and sharing your thoughts. There's definitely a lot going on in this story and I can see how it might appeal to some readers more than others.

Zoƫ said...

I'm on this tour so I came to check out the reviews that were already posted because 20 pages in and I want to quit :( I really don't like this book, don't find it interesting at all, and overall am bored and disappointed. Unfortunately, your review doesn't provide much hope for the next 300 pages, but it did help me find a great new book blog :)

Anonymous said...

I love to read so I'm checking this book out, fo sho. Have you read "Of Bees and Mist." by Eric Satiawan? Probably my most favorite book I've read in awhile.

Betty: Reflections with Coffee said...

Thanks for such an honest review! I've decided now to pass on reading it.